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Original poster

How can I stop doing this in my sleep?

27 replies

PleaseTakeItOff · 13/12/2022 19:59

I had abdominal surgery about 10 weeks ago. I was bed bound for about 10 days and barely able to move side to side. I was pretty drugged up and sleeping a lot during this time and slept on my back and for some reason got in the habit of sleeping with my hands behind my head with my hands balled into fists.

Fast forward to now and I can now sleep on my side again and fall asleep every night on my side. But I wake up in the morning on my back with my hands under my head. Not only do I have terrible pins and needles in my hands for a good hour after waking having slept like this but over the last couple of weeks my knuckles and finger joints have really swollen up and they are sore and weak all the time. They are particularly bad in the mornings and this morning I couldn’t take my tampon out as my fingers were so weak 😭. I can’t open jars or even crisp packets and I’m having to borrow my mum’s car as hers is an automatic and I can no longer change gears on my manual car.

I spoke to my consultant who did my surgery and he said that although he’s not an expert on arthritis or similar it seems unlikely that anything like that would come on so suddenly and aggressively and it wouldn’t be related to my surgery. He’s of the same mindset as me which is that it’s due to me sleeping in my back with hands under my head in fists.

I’ve tried pinning myself on my side with pillows and I’ve tried taking sleeping tablets in the hood I fall so deeply asleep I don’t fidget into putting my hands behind my head again but it doesn’t work.

Has anyone got any suggestions as to other options to stop myself doing this? If I lived with another adult I think I’d genuinely ask them to tie my hands together to stop myself putting them behind my head 😂

OP posts:
Fleurdaisy · 13/12/2022 20:06

You can buy wrist splints that keep your hands straight.

Original poster
PleaseTakeItOff · 13/12/2022 20:34

@Fleurdaisy thanks but none of the wrist splints I can find hold fingers straight. I’m pretty sure it’s the combination of curling my hands into fists and then putting them under my head that is causing the issue.

OP posts:
upfucked · 13/12/2022 20:36

A cuddle/pregnancy pillow which keeps you on your side?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Sleep
EdwardianDream · 13/12/2022 20:41

I don't have any advice but a couple of years ago I went from being a side-sleeper to your position you describe. I don't have the swelling/pain but I do now snore horrifically according to my husband! It's so weird. In pregnancy I put a pillow to my side so when I rolled I was at a slight angle still, could work??

Original poster
PleaseTakeItOff · 13/12/2022 20:42

I’ve tried that and although im sure I fall asleep on my side I throw them on the floor at some point in the night

OP posts:
Raera · 13/12/2022 20:46

A very old fashioned idea to stop snoring was to attach a potato into the back of your jamas or nightie!

CharlotteStreetW1 · 13/12/2022 20:47

Some snorers sew a tennis ball into the back of their pj's/nightdresses to stop them turning on their backs.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 13/12/2022 20:48

Raera · 13/12/2022 20:46

A very old fashioned idea to stop snoring was to attach a potato into the back of your jamas or nightie!

Or indeed a potato 🥔 😂

Nutmegzz · 13/12/2022 20:53

Maybe try using a weighted blanket? I use one and the weight of it holds me in the same position all night (as it is hard to move under the weight of it). Also feels like a big hug which is a bonus!

Coolcreature · 13/12/2022 20:53

Could you try a weighted blanket, or a compression sleeping bag thing? I've forgotten the actual name of it.

Or a potato apparently!

MsChatterbox · 13/12/2022 20:54

Would you be able to fall asleep with your arms inside your top?

AlisonDonut · 13/12/2022 20:58

Mittens? So if you do ball your hands up, they won't be quite as tight?

What about pillows under the sheet to keep you on your side so at least you can't throw them out of the bed...with a weighted blankie or two quilts and a blanket to weight you down and if you still manage it I think you may have to get a single bed and straps.

stbrandonsboat · 13/12/2022 21:02

Boxing gloves?

QuestionableMouse · 13/12/2022 21:19

See some pokey buttons on the back of your PJs so you don't stay on your back?

PleaseStopExplaining · 14/12/2022 08:30

Ring splints?

EatsShoootsAndLeaves · 14/12/2022 08:34

Bra on backwards and a tennis ball in the cup? This may stop you sleeping on your back.

StateOfTheUterus · 14/12/2022 08:40

hold large sponge, bandage around your fingers and palm?

SmileyClare · 14/12/2022 08:46

I’d ask for a referral via gp if this doesn’t improve. Regardless of sleeping position, you shouldn’t have this much pain and loss of mobility during the day; it’s restricting your life to quite an extent.

Practise regular hand physio exercises (see YouTube) every morning.
You can buy small spring devices to improve grip strength but even a sponge ball can be used.

Id try to fashion some fingersplints inside cotton gloves with lolly sticks or similar as a temporary solution to see whether your sleeping position is the only cause.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 14/12/2022 08:54

Sew a hair roller/curler into the back of your PJ's to make lying on your back uncomfortable.

You should be able to get a hand/finger splint that stops you balling up your fists.

Don't take sleeping tablets or drink too much alcohol while this is ongoing you don't want to avoid moving, that could make things worse, you need to just make lying in this position uncomfortable. I know of someone who caused themselves a nasty injury sleeping in a weird position that cut off the circulation and not moving, so please be careful.

IneedanewTV · 14/12/2022 08:56

How old are you? Could it be menopausal. I suddenly developed really stiff finger joints which cleared as soon as a took HRT.

regarding sleeping on your back - I’m a terrible snorer so at times I use a running belt and put a tennis ball in it. This is so uncomfortable it stops me rolling over onto my back.

PingPongMerrilyWithPie · 14/12/2022 09:00

I think a small change could make the difference, anything that changes the way your hands feel. I think the splints would work really well - you really can't make a fist wearing a wrist splint - or even just a pair of gloves or socks on hands that will give a slightly unfamiliar feeling. Maybe stuff a sock inside a glove to make it harder to make a fist.

comeondover · 14/12/2022 09:37

OP, I was given these and no longer need them. Happy to send to you if you PM me your address. You won't be able to make a fist with these on. But if you're on your own, you'd only be able to use one at a time. You could alternate.

How can I stop doing this in my sleep?
SmileyClare · 14/12/2022 10:23

⬆️ How kind! Just when I start to hate mumsnet I stumble across a lovely poster and my faith is restored 😂
Those look great. I hope op can make use of them x

Original poster
PleaseTakeItOff · 14/12/2022 11:26

@IneedanewTV I’m 38 so I really hope it isn’t menopause related just yet.

@comeondover thats so, so kind! Thank you so much!

OP posts: